Apparatus for collecting fingerprints and buccal swabs

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are devices and methods for collection, labeling and matching biological samples containing nucleic acid in conjunction with collecting at least one ridge and valley signature such as a fingerprint or footprint of an individual. Such devices and methods are used in forensic, human identification, paternity, tissue typing, and screening technologies to rapidly process an individual&#39;s identity, determine the identity of an individual along with the genotype profile of the individual.

This application is the National Stage of International Application No.PCT/US2013/027492 filed on Feb. 22, 2013, which InternationalApplication claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) toU.S. Provisional Application No. 61/601,931 filed on Feb. 22, 2012, eachdisclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes onlyand should not be construed as limiting the subject matter describedherein in any way.

FIELD

The present teachings relate to integrated collection systems andmethods for linking the identity of the donor of a biological samplewith the donor's fingerprints.

INTRODUCTION

Forensic evidence and biometric data are often used together to identifyperpetrators of criminal activities as well as for the identification ofmissing persons, victims of mass disasters, paternity testing and toexonerate the innocent. The ability to simultaneously or concurrentlycollect biometric characteristic(s) such as fingerprints, an iris orretinal scan, an image or photo of an individual, create an electronicrepresentation of the collected biometric characteristic and associatethe representation with a biological sample(s) collected from theindividual, such as forensic evidence including but not limited toblood, tissue, hair, body fluid or a buccal sample, provides a systemfor expediting identification and screening for potential terrorists andfelons. Furthermore, maintaining records of biometric characteristic ina database and correlating the representation with the respectivebiological samples can be complicated at best and susceptible to errorsin collecting, manual labeling, cataloging and archiving. Therefore,there remains a need to accurately collect, label and process biometriccharacteristic(s) and biological samples from a single individual.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the embodiments, there is disclosed a biometric datacollection system having a first component adapted to obtain arepresentation of an appendage of an individual, and at least a secondcomponent comprising a substrate adapted to receive a biological samplefrom the individual, wherein either the substrate or a biological samplecollection device comprising the substrate is labeled with therepresentation. The first component has a surface adapted to obtain animpression of the appendage and an imaging system is operatively coupledto the surface, wherein the imaging system is configured to collect anelectronic image resulting from the impression. The imaging system canbe either an optical imaging system or a capacitive scanning/imagingsystem. The collection system can also have a processor configured toconvert the electronic image from the impression into the representationof the appendage. Additionally, the processor can provide for and tiethe system in with an outside connections module to networks, softwaresources, databases of such entities as the FBI, Homeland Security,investigative agencies, intelligence agencies, watch lists, cablesystems, the web, optical fiber systems, wireless communications such assatellites, cell phone systems (e.g., GSM), and other pertinentresources. Additionally, the processor can have a database connect tothe processor and a connection module connected to the processor. Therepresentation can be configured for uploading into a network ordatabase and other pertinent archiving and information retrieval andcomparison resources. The system can also have a component adapted tolabel the substrate or the biological sample collection device with therepresentation to enable matching the biometric characteristic to thebiological sample. The representation can be graphical, digital,photographic, analog, alphanumeric, hexadecimal or binary, including abarcode. The impression obtained by the system can be converted into anelectronic image and the appendage can be a finger, thumb, hand, toe orfoot placed upon a surface such as a platen that is transparent. Theresulting impression can be a fingerprint, thumbprint, handprint, toeprint or footprint.

In accordance with the embodiments, there is also disclosed a method formatching collected biometric information comprising: providing a surfacefor obtaining a representation of an appendage of an individual, whereinan impression of a fingerprint of a finger of the individual is obtainedwhen the individual touches the surface; converting the fingerprintimpression to an electronically readable representation; labeling abiological sample collection device with the electronically readablerepresentation; collecting a biological sample from the individual withthe labeled biological sample collection device; wherein theelectronically readable representation from the fingerprint is matchedto the labeled biological sample collection device following collectionof the biological sample. The digit can be a finger, thumb, hand, toe orfoot placed upon a surface such as a platen that is transparent. Theresulting impression can be a fingerprint, thumbprint, handprint, toeprint or footprint. The biological sample can be analyzed by genotypingor HLA typing and the collected biometric information can be archived ina database, network or other pertinent resource.

In accordance with the embodiments, there is also disclosed a method formatching collected biometric information comprising: providing a surfacefor obtaining a representation of an appendage of an individual, whereinan impression of the appendage of the individual is obtained when theindividual touches the surface, wherein the appendage is a digit;converting the impression to an electronically readable representation;labeling a substrate with the electronically readable representation;transferring a biological sample from the individual to the substrate;and matching the electronically readable representation from theimpression to the labeled substrate following collection of thebiological sample. The digit can be a finger, thumb, hand, toe or footplaced upon a surface such as a platen that is transparent. Theresulting impression can be a fingerprint, thumbprint, handprint, toeprint or footprint. The biological sample can be analyzed by genotypingor HLA typing and the collected biometric information can be archived ina database, network or other pertinent resource.

In the following description, certain aspects and embodiments willbecome evident. It should be understood that a given embodiment need nothave all aspects and features described herein. It should be understoodthat these aspects and embodiments are merely exemplary and explanatoryand are not restrictive of the invention.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several exemplary embodiments ofthe disclosure and together with the description, serve to explaincertain teachings.

There still exists a need for improved systems and methods for obtainingbiometric data and biological sample of individuals, while retainingproper matching between samples and the biometric data. Therefore, it isdesirable to develop systems and methods which provide a higherassurance of identity between a given biological sample and biometricdata associated with the biological data. The systems and methodsdescribed herein fulfill that need to provide higher certainty that asample associated with a specific individual actually is that sample andnot that of another individual.

These and other features of the present teachings are set forth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The skilled artisan will understand that the drawings described beloware for illustration purposes only. The drawings are not intended tolimit the scope of the present teachings in any way.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the biometricsystem 10 disclosed herein. A surface 11 captures an impression of anappendage. Ports 12, 13 and 14 can have a photo-capturing component, asensor component and motion sensor component, respectively. Operativelycoupled to surface 11 is a biological sample collection system 20. Acollected biological sample, including but not limited to a swab, isplaced on a substrate 28. The substrate is labeled with a barcoderepresentation 24 and fingerprint representation 26. The substrate iscovered by a protective film 22. The substrate 28 is positioned on aheat block 29 and the biological sample containing substrate can besealed by the application of pressure from press 27.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the method forprocessing a biological sample. The biological sample collection system20 has swab 31 pressed upon a substrate 38. The substrate is labeledwith a barcode representation 34 and fingerprint representation 36. Thesubstrate is covered by a protective film 32. The substrate 38 ispositioned on a heat block 39 and the biological sample containingsubstrate can be sealed by the application of pressure from press 37shown with film 35.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the method forprocessing a biological sample. The biological sample collection system40 biological sample 43 pressed upon a substrate 48. The substrate islabeled with a barcode representation 44 and fingerprint representation46. The substrate's biological sample 43 is covered by protective film42. The substrate 48 is positioned on a heat block 49 and the biologicalsample containing substrate can be sealed by the application of pressurefrom press 47 shown with weight 45.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the matchedfingerprint 56 and biological sample 53 following the disclosed methodsfor processing a biological sample. The biological sample collectionsystem 50 has biological sample 53 pressed upon a substrate 58. Thesubstrate 58 is labeled with a barcode representation 54 and fingerprintrepresentation 56. The substrate's biological sample 53 is covered byprotective film 52. The substrate 58 and the biological sample 53 aresealed 57 in a protective pouch 59.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of a biologicalsample collection device 60. A substrate 68 enclosed and attached to thedevice lies at one end of said device 60 and is composed of eithertreated paper e.g., Whatman® FTA paper (Whatman) or untreated paper(e.g. 903 paper). The substrate 68 is protected by cover 69 prior tocollection and after collection of a biological sample to precludecontamination by extraneous nucleic acids, environmental contaminantsand the like. A label having the barcode representation 64 derived fromthe fingerprint of the same individual who provided the biologicalsample is at the opposite end of device 60. Additional information suchas name, date of birth, and so on can be further added to the collectiondevice 60.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of a workflow ofthe disclosed systems and methods.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the biometricsystem 70 disclosed herein. A surface 71 captures an impression of anappendage. Ports 72 a, 72 b, and 72 c can have a photo-capturingcomponent, a sensor component and motion sensor component, respectively.Operatively coupled to surface 71 is the biometric collection and dataprocessing system 70. After processing, an image of the impression 76, abarcode representation 74 of the impression, and, optionally, furtheridentifying information 76 a (ie. personal name, other identifying codenumbering, etc) is deposited on a substrate 28.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the method forprocessing a biological sample. An impression of an appendage 86 isobtained, and in step 801, a barcode 84 or other representation of theimpression is generated. In step 802, a substrate 88A is labeled withbarcode 84, other identifying information 86 a, and optionally, withimpression 86. In step 803, biological sample, obtained with swab 81, istransferred to substrate 88A. In some embodiments, the substrate isalready in place on an apparatus 80. In step 804, apparatus 80 dries thearchival card bearing the biological sample to produce the dried sampleon substrate 88B. In step 805, the archival card is encapsulated 88C ina tamper- proof package for transport to a testing facility. The image86 of the impression of the appendage or the barcode 84 representationof the impression may be used to authenticate the archival card bearingthe biological sample.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the method forauthenticating the archival card containing the biological samplebearing substrate, which may or may not be sealed in protective coveringor envelope. An impression of an appendage 96 may be obtained in thefield or point of contact, and in step 901, a barcode 94 or otherrepresentation is generated. The barcode and identifying information isuploaded to a remote database 91 in step 902. In step 903, a biologicalsample is deposited to the substrate that is labeled with the barcode94, and optionally the image 96 of the impression and other identifyinginformation 96 a, and the archival sample card 98C is sealed forprotection. In step 904, the archival sample card is transported to acentral laboratory. In step 905, the barcode 94, identifying information96 a, and, optionally, the image 96 of the impression is read bysuitable means. The remote database 91 is interrogated to determinewhether the sample ID 96 a and barcode 94 matches the data input in thefield or point of contact.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the biometricsystem 100 disclosed herein. A surface 101 captures an impression of anappendage. Ports 102 a, 102 b, and 102 c can have a photo-capturingcomponent, a sensor component and motion sensor component, respectively.Operatively coupled to surface 101 is the biometric collection and dataprocessing system 100. After processing, a barcode representation 74 ofthe impression, and, optionally, further identifying information 76 a(ie. personal name, other identifying code numbering, etc) is labeled ina swab labeling port 103 on collection swab 105. Collection swab 105 mayfurther have a cover 109, protecting the collection substrate surface.

FIG. 11 s a schematic representation of one embodiment of the method forauthenticating a collection swab 115 containing a substrate 118. Animpression of an appendage 116 may be obtained in the field or point ofcontact, and in step 1101, a barcode 114 or other representation isgenerated from the impression or an image thereof. The barcode andidentifying information is uploaded to a remote database (unnumbered) instep 1102. In step 1103, a biological sample is deposited to thesubstrate that is labeled with the barcode 94, and optionally the image96 of the impression and other identifying information 96 a. In step1104, the archival sample card is transported to a central laboratory.In step 905, the barcode 114 and identifying information 115 a is readby suitable means. The remote database is interrogated to determinewhether the sample ID 96 a and barcode 94 matches the data input in thefield or point of contact. After authentication, the substrate 118 acontaining the biological sample is processed and tested in one or moreassays.

It is to be understood that the figures are not drawn to scale, nor arethe objects in the figures necessarily drawn to scale in relationship toone another. The figures are depictions that are intended to bringclarity and understanding to various embodiments of apparatuses,systems, and methods disclosed herein. Wherever possible, the last twodigits of reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings torefer to the same or like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of interpreting of this specification, the followingdefinitions will apply and whenever appropriate, terms used in thesingular will also include the plural and vice versa. In the event thatany definition set forth below conflicts with the usage of that word inany other document, including any document incorporated herein byreference, the definition set forth below shall always control forpurposes of interpreting this specification and its associated claimsunless a contrary meaning is clearly intended (for example in thedocument where the term is originally used). It is noted that, as usedin this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the,” include plural referents unless expressly andunequivocally limited to one referent. The use of “or” means “and/or”unless stated otherwise. The use of “comprise,” “comprises,”“comprising,” “include,” “includes,” and “including” are interchangeableand not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, where the description ofone or more embodiments uses the term “comprising,” those skilled in theart would understand that, in some specific instances, the embodiment orembodiments can be alternatively described using the language“consisting essentially of” and/or “consisting of.”

Repeated usage of the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarilylimit to usage to that same embodiment, although it may.

Unless otherwise defined, scientific and technical terms used inconnection with the present teachings described herein shall have themeanings that are commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in theart. Generally, nomenclatures utilized in connection with, andtechniques of, molecular biology, and oligo- or polynucleotide chemistryand amplification and detection thereof described herein are those wellknown and commonly used in the art.

As used herein, the phrase “membrane,” “partition,” “layer,” and “film”are interchangeable and not intended to be limiting.

As used herein, the phrase “nucleic acid,” “oligonucleotide”, andpolynucleotide(s)” are interchangeable and not intended to be limiting.

“Biometric data” as used herein, refers to data related to physiologicalaspects of an individual and may include skin recognition, including butnot limited to fingerprints and palm prints; body geometry features,including but not limited to ear, hand, finger, and the like; facialfeatures; face images; voice; voice prints; optical recognition,including but not limited to iris scans and retinal scans; signatures;blood typing; nucleic acid profiles, including deoxyribonucleotide (DNA)profiles and ribonucleic acid (RNA) profiles; protein assays; infraredidentification, including but not limited to face, hand, and hand vein;and the like. One or more of these may be used in any combination.

DNA data include but are not limited to Short Tandem Repeat (STR);Single Nucleotide polymorphism (SNP); Insert and Deletion (INDEL)sequences; Alu elements and other non-STR repeat sequences. In someembodiments, the DNA data is any polymorphic DNA sequence that can beused for human identification.

STR profile: Common sets of short tandem repeat (STR) markers or “coreloci” permits equivalent genetic information to be shared and compared.These core STR loci occur in between genes where a high degree ofvariability is tolerated and are thus not directly responsible forphysical traits or genetic diseases. The “core loci” are often used inhuman identity testing such as parentage testing and missing persons andmass disaster investigations, as well as for entry of DNA genotype datainto national or international databases used to link serial crimes andoffenders. Presently, the FBI has generated 13 core STR loci as thebasis for the genetic fingerprinting of an individual and maintains adatabase of such information for later reference. Other internationalorganizations focus on different, but overlapping sets of STR loci, asshown in Table 1. One of skill can determine that additional loci may beuseful to add to a STR profile, and the listing herein is by no meanslimiting.

SNP profile: Single nucleotide variants in a DNA sequence may be incoding, non coding or intergenic regions of genes, differing betweenmembers of a biological species or between paired chromosomes of anindividual. Some SNP sequences may be related to phenotypiccharacteristics of an individual. This data may be of particular use ifattempting to interrogate data where there is incomplete personalinformation for a biometric data set.

INDEL profile: Insertion and deletion sequences include the followingtypes of insertion/deletions: insertions or deletions of single basepairs; expansions by only one base pair (monomeric base pairexpansions); multi-base pair expansions of about 2 to about 15 repeats;transposon insertions (insertions of mobile elements); and random DNAsequence insertions or deletions.

Alu element: Alu elements are mobile and repetitive elements in thehuman genome. Alu elements are generally about 300 by and are consideredas a short interspersed element (SINE) within the broad class ofrepetitive DNA elements. Derived from the small cytoplasmic 7SL RNA,these inserted elements are interspersed throughout the genome. About7,000 Alu elements are unique to humans, and some may result in disease.Alu elements are useful in human identification as Alu element insertionevents have characteristic signatures and reveal details of ancestry andrelatedness.

“Hash”, “hashed” or “hashing” as used herein, refers to datatransformation which converts variable sized data to anotherrepresentation. “Hash” as used herein, includes usage as both verb andnoun forms. For example, a hash can be the representation resulting fromthe data transformation. The representation may be of fixed data size,same data size, different data size or variable data size. Therepresentation may be of the same data type or another data type,including but not limited to numerical, alphabetical, graphical, oraudio. The graphical representation may be pictorial or schematic,including but not limited to a barcode representation. Therepresentation may be encrypted. The encrypted representation may beinvertible with or without a key, or the encrypted representation may beencrypted one-way.

Many forms of data transformation are useful in this invention. In someof the embodiments of the invention, the hashing produces the same endvalue for a given input data every time the hash is produced. Thehashing also provides unique values for unique input, thus providinguniform distribution of the hash values within a potential range, andpreventing differing input biometric data from mapping to the same hashvalue. One of skill can determine other data manipulation that may beuseful for storage of the hash values as enrollment databases enlarge.

Some useful cryptographic hash functions include BLAKE-256, BLAKE-512,ECOH, FSB, GOST, Grøstl, HAS-160, HAVAL, JH, Keccak, MD2, MD4, MD5, MD6,RadioGatún, RIPEMD-64, RIPEMD-160, RIPEMD-320, SHA-0, SHA-1, SHA-224,SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512, Skein, Snefru, Spectral Hash, SWIFFT, Tiger,and Whirlpool.

An additional level of data transformation may be used to verify dataintegrity and to authenticate the hash values represented on anidentification card of the invention. A Hash-based MessageAuthentication Code (HMAC) may be used to combine the cryptographic hashfunctions described above with a secret key. One definition of the HMACalgorithm from a source, RFC 2014 code, defines the algorithm asfollows:

H(·) is a cryptographic hash functionK is a secret key, for example, padded to the right with extra zeros tothe input block size of the hash function, or the hash of the originalkey if it is longer than that block size;m is the message to be authenticated;∥ denotes concatenation;{circumflex over (+)} denotes exclusive or (XOR);opad is the outer padding (0x5c5c5c . . . 5c5c, one-block-longhexadecimal constant) ;ipad is the inner padding (0x363636 . . . 3636, one-block-longhexadecimal constant);Then HMAC(K,m) can be mathematically defined as:HMAC(K,m)=H((K{circumflex over (+)}opad) ∥ H((K{circumflex over(+)}ipad) ∥ m)), in one non-limiting example. The cryptographic strengthof the HMAC depends upon the size of the secret key that is used. Themost common attack against HMACs is brute force to uncover the secretkey. HMACs are substantially less affected by independent values mappingto the same hash values, i.e. collisions, than their underlying hashingalgorithms alone. Therefore, HMAC-MD5 does not suffer from the sameweaknesses that have been found in MD5, for example.

Hashing methods allowing some degree of dissimilarity while stillfinding identity between two substantially similar files, are widelyavailable and are often referred to as fuzzy hash functions. Contexttriggered piecewise hashing is one method of matching not quiteidentical sets of bits of information. An example of such a methodcombines a rolling hash with a piecewise hash, as devised by Kornblum(Kornblum, Digital Investigation 3S (2006), pp S91-S97). Other fuzzyhashing tools include ssdeep and deeptoad. Additionally, fuzzy hashalgorithms are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publications2011/0093426 and 2011/0067108 (Hoglund), for classifying data objectsincluding DNA sequences.

In some embodiments of the invention, hashing methods are used thatallow a predetermined degree of dissimilarity when comparing two hashesfor identity. Even a small change, for example, in orientation of afingerprint scan, may provide a digitized form that yields a differenthash from a different fingerprint scan taken from the same finger at adifferent time, location or after a degree of physiologicalmodification. These hashing methods can be useful when differences inthe source or target biometric data do not provide an exact match but dopossess a degree of similarity high enough for a positiveidentification. Therefore, the processor may be instructed to notrequire perfect identity to signal a match. DNA profiles may alsodemonstrate some dissimilarity upon hashing, but still be capable ofbeing detected by the processor as representing a reasonable match.Allowing some degree of dissimilarity while still determining that amatch has been identified, can initiate a further inquiry into theidentity of the individual presenting the identification card.

The description also uses the terms such as “secure,” “protected,”“encrypted,” “authenticated,” etc. These terms refer to a given level ofsecurity, protection, authenticity, etc.

The disclosed system concurrently or consecutively collects biometricinformation and at least one biological sample. At some points of entrysuch as international airports, customs, port authorities, bordercrossings, money-supplying bank kiosks, admission to secure areas, it isimportant to positively identify the person seeking entry. The presentsystem may use a series of techniques for identifying such a person. Thepresent system can also be utilized to ensure chain of custody, databasework, casework sample processing, cataloging individuals for tissueregistries for both donors and recipients, individual identification andfor paternity testing.

The resulting information can be acted upon, such as with searching andcomparison with databases, and processing in seeking an independentverification of identity of the person providing the appendageimpression and the at least one biological sample. The data collectionmay be short-term and utilized for just identification at the moment ofcollection, or the collection may be a basis for building anidentification database or databank, and/or for long-term storage andanalysis. The present system may detect a user who is attempting toprovide false identification and/or information or a person crossing aninternational boarder without proper authorization. The collection ofsuch data and associated activities may be covert, partially covert, ornot covert. Incidentally, there may be laws in certain jurisdictionsthat regulate the collection and use of certain kinds of biometric data.

The disclosed system will identify an individual who may haveparticipated in an act of violence or terrorism previously withoutadditionally encompassing innocent individuals who have somecharacteristics in common, such as name or physical description.

Additionally, while biometric data are useful personal identifiers, itis also desirable to prevent unauthorized access or theft of such data.Unlike passwords and the like, individualized biometric data cannot berevoked and reissued after a breach of security.

There are a number of databases being managed and developed by agencieswho gather evidence from attempted or successful acts of violence andterrorism, which include biometric data including, without limitation,fingerprints, voice recordings, DNA samples from which DNA data may bedeveloped, and the like, which are entered into the database.

It is of interest to be able to interrogate these databases to identifyindividuals who may request access to an entity, transport, information,location, transaction, services, authorized status, funds, and the like,but who may be at high risk of attempting acts of violence or terrorism.Additionally, it would be useful to definitively verify the identity ofan individual who is legitimately requesting access to an entity,international boarder, transport, information, location, transaction,services, authorized status, funds, and the like.

The individualized identification information includes individualizedbiometric data of at least a first class and a second class, where theindividualized biometric data of the first class and the individualizedbiometric data of the second class has been stored on the card as a hashformed from the individualized biometric data of the first and secondclass. The individualized identification information may further includea third class of individualized biometric data or more. The third andadditional classes of individualized biometric data may be present onthe identification card in a hashed form, and may be invertible. Thethird and additional classes of individualized biometric data may bepresent on the identification card in a non-invertible hashed form.

In some embodiments of the invention, the biometric data is selectedfrom the group consisting of a fingerprint scan data, a palm print scandata, a retinal scan data, an iris scan data, or a hand vein scan dataof the individual. In some embodiments the biometric data is abiological sample for which genetic and/or genotyping data can beobtained. Such data includes a DNA data, including a STR profile, SNPprofile, or INDEL profile, an Alu element, a non-STR DNA profile, or afingerprint scan of the individual. In other embodiments the biometricdata a DNA data, including a STR profile, SNP profile, or INDEL profile,an Alu element, or a non-STR DNA profile of the individual.

In some embodiments, a biometric data collection system is disclosed asillustrated in FIG. 1. The system provides a first component whichcollects an impression of an appendage such as a fingerprint, handprintor toe print from an individual. The impression is processed into anelectronic image in a format suitable for uploading into a database ornetwork.

In some embodiments, the system provides a first component whichcollects an impression of an appendage such as a fingerprint, handprintor toe print from an individual. The system may include a secondcomponent which is configured to process the impression to form anelectronic image having a format suitable for uploading into a databaseor network. The electronic image can be converted into a representationincluding but not limited to a graphical, digital, photographic, analog,alphanumeric, hexadecimal or binary representation which can berepresented as a hash or barcode. The representation may be used tolabel the biological sample obtained in the methods described herein orto label containers, substrates, collection devices or data associatedwith the subject providing the impression.

In some embodiments, the first component includes an optical imagingsystem. In other embodiments the apparatus can comprise a firstsolid-state ridge and valley signature reader. Ridge and valleysignatures can be distinguished by optical, ultrasonic, capacitive orthermal means using an analog means as well as by a touchlessthree-dimensional ridge and valley scanners using a digital processingmeans. (Wang, Yongchang; Q. Hao, A. Fatehpuria, D. L. Lau and L. G.Hassebrook (2009). “Data Acquisition and Quality Analysis of3-Dimensional Fingerprints”. Florida: IEEE conference on Biometrics,Identity and Security.http://vis.uky.edu/·realtime3d/Doc/3D_Fingerprint_Quality.pdf. RetrievedMarch 2010. Wang, Yongchang; D. L. Lau and L. G. Hassebrook (2010).“Fit-sphere unwrapping and performance analysis of 3D Fingerprints”.Applied Optics. pp. 592-600. The optical imaging system has anilluminating means for optically collecting the ridge and valleysignature using an optical scanner as is known to one of skill in theart. The optical scanner can be an array of a plurality of lightemitting diodes or a multispectral illuminator. In an optical scanner abeam of light passes through the topological impression made by the testsubject upon exposure to the source of illumination wherein the testsubject places the finger, hand, palm, toe, sole or foot against asurface of the imaging system having an illuminating source. In oneembodiment the surface comprises a platen, wherein the platen istransparent to allow the illuminating source to illuminate the at leastone valley and ridge of the test subject. After collection of the atleast one ridge and valley signature, the signature, in analog ordigital format can be transmitted to a database having a plurality ofridge and valley signatures as well as other physical biometric data. Insome embodiments, the collection of data includes minutia. In certainembodiments the illumination source is from LEDs, laser diodes,incandescent sources, or a multispectral imager. The illumination mayinclude light of a combination of wavelengths, and may be made from morethan one angle of illumination relative to the platen and/or appendagebeing scanned. The illumination may include light that is coherent ornoncoherent, polarized or non polarized, and may have wavelengths fromnear ultraviolet (320-400 nm) to mid-infrared (approximately 5 microns).In some embodiments, the resulting images are significantly affected bythe presence and distribution of total-internal-reflectance (“TIR”)phenomena at the interface between the platen and the appendage. Inother embodiments, the resulting image of the appendage is substantiallyunaffected by the presence or absence of TIR effects at the platen. Insome embodiments, the light collected from the illuminated surface mayinclude light reflected at the surface of the skin. In otherembodiments, the light collected may include light reflected fromsubsurface scattering from beneath the surface of the skin. Suchsubsurface scattered light may yield more robust images when impressionsof appendages are made under sub-ideal circumstances.

Any suitable instrumentation may be used to acquire the image of anappendage according to the methods described herein. Some instrumentsand techniques include but are not limited to those disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,537,484, U.S. Pat. No. 6,175,407, U.S. Pat. No. 6,665,427,U.S. Pat. No. 8,014,581, U.S. Pat. No. 8,036,431, U.S. Pat. No.5,177,353, U.S. Pat. No. 6,282,303, U.S. Pat. No. 6,188,781, U.S. Pat.No. 6,741,729, U.S. Pat. No. 6,122,394, U.S. Pat. No. 6,826,000, U.S.Pat. No. 6,496,630, U.S. Pat. No. 6,628,813, U.S. Pat. No. 6,983,062,U.S. Pat. No. 7,162,060, U.S. Pat. No. 7,164,440, U.S. Pat. No.7,657,067, U.S. Pat. No. 8,073,209, U.S. Pat. No. 7,190,817, U.S. Pat.No. 7,558,410, U.S. Pat. No. 7,565,541, U.S. Pat. No. 7,995,808 U.S.Pat. No. 7,899,217 U.S. Pat. No. 7,890,158, U.S. Pat. No. 7,835,554,U.S. Pat. No. 7,831,072, U.S. Pat. No. 7,819,311, U.S. Pat. No.7,804,984, U.S. Pat. No. 7,801,339 U.S. Pat. No. 7,801,338, U.S. Pat.No. 7,751,594, U.S. Pat. No. 7,735,729, U.S. Pat. No. 7,668,350, U.S.Pat. No. 7,627,151, U.S. Pat. No. 7,620,212, U.S. Pat. No. 7,613,504,U.S. Pat. No. 7,545,963, U.S. Pat. No. 7,539,330, U.S. Pat. No.7,508,965, U.S. Pat. No. 7,460,696, U.S. Pat. No. 7,440,597, U.S. Pat.No. 7,394,919, U.S. Pat. No. 7,386,152, U.S. Pat. No. 7,347,365, U.S.Pat. No. 7,263,213, U.S. Pat. No. 7,203,345, U.S. Pat. No. 7,147,153,U.S. Pat. No. 6,816,605, U.S. Pat. No. 6,628,809, U.S. Pat. No.6,560,352, US200110235872, US200110211055, US200110165911,U320110163163, US200110085708, US200100246902, US200100067748,US20090245591, US20090148005, US20090092290, US20090080709,US20090046903, US20080304712, US20080298649, US20080297788,US20080232653, US20080192988, US20080025580, US20080025579,US20070116331, US20070030475, US20060274921 US20060244947,US20060210120, US20060202028, US20060110015, US20060062438,US20060002598, US20060002597, US20050271258, US20050265586,US20050265585, US20050205667, US20050185847, US20050007582,US20040240712, US20040047493, US20030223621, US20030078504,US20020183624, and US20020009213, each of which is herein incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

The electronic image can be converted into a representation includingbut not limited to a graphical, digital, photographic, analog,alphanumeric, hexadecimal or binary representation which can berepresented as a hash or barcode. The system has at least a secondcomponent including a substrate adapted to receive a biological samplefrom the individual. The biometric system labels either the substrate ora biological sample collection device comprising the substrate with therepresentation derived from the electronic image from the firstcomponent. The first component has a surface adapted to obtain animpression of the appendage. The surface can be a platen, a film orother material capable of being scanned or photographed by an imagingsystem, either optically or capacitively. The imaging system isoperatively coupled to the surface, wherein the imaging system isconfigured to collect an electronic image resulting from the impression.

In some embodiments, the collection system can also have a processorconfigured to convert the electronic image acquired from the impressioninto the representation of the appendage. Additionally, the processorcan provide for and tie the system in with an outside connections moduleto networks, software sources, databases of such entities as the FBI,Homeland Security, investigative agencies, intelligence agencies, watchlists, cable systems, the web, optical fiber systems, wirelesscommunications such as satellites, cell phone systems (e.g., GSM), andother pertinent resources. Additionally, the processor can have adatabase connect to the processor and a connection module connected tothe processor. The representation can be configured for uploading into anetwork or database and other pertinent archiving and informationretrieval and comparison resources. The system can also have a componentadapted to label the substrate or the biological sample collectiondevice with the representation to enable matching the biometriccharacteristic to the biological sample. The representation can begraphical, digital, photographic, analog, alphanumeric, hexadecimal orbinary, including a barcode. The impression obtained by the system canbe converted into an electronic image and the appendage can be a finger,thumb, hand, toe or foot placed upon a surface such as a platen that istransparent. The resulting impression can be a fingerprint, thumbprint,handprint, toe print or footprint.

In further embodiments, there is also disclosed a method for matchingcollected biometric information. The method utilizes a surface forobtaining a representation of an appendage of an individual. Therepresentation results when an individual places an appendage, includingbut not limited to a finger on the surface. The finger imparts animpression when the individual touches the surface. The fingerprintimpression is scanned by an imaging system operatively coupled to thesurface. The imaging system converts the image into an electronicallyreadable representation. The representation, as a label, is imprinted onto a biological sample collection device. The electronically readablerepresentation can be read by a scanner, lazar scanner, and barcodereader and so on. The biological sample collecting device can collect abiological sample from the individual with the labeled biological samplecollection device. A technician or designated security personal cancompare the representation on the collection device following collectionwith the fingerprint representation to verify the biological samplematches the individual whose fingerprint was used to generate therepresentation. The digit can be a finger, thumb, hand, toe or footplaced upon a surface such as a platen that is transparent. Theresulting impression can be a fingerprint, thumbprint, handprint, toeprint or footprint. The biological sample can be analyzed by genotypingor HLA typing and the collected biometric information can be archived ina database, network or other pertinent resource.

In accordance with the embodiments, there is also disclosed a method formatching collected biometric information comprising: providing a surfacefor obtaining a representation of an appendage of an individual, whereinan impression of the appendage of the individual is obtained when theindividual touches the surface, wherein the appendage is a digit;converting the impression to an electronically readable representation;labeling a substrate with the electronically readable representation;transferring a biological sample from the individual to the substrate;and matching the electronically readable representation from theimpression to the labeled substrate following collection of thebiological sample. The digit can be a finger, thumb, hand, toe or footplaced upon a surface such as a platen that is transparent. Theresulting impression can be a fingerprint, thumbprint, handprint, toeprint or footprint. The biological sample can be analyzed by genotypingor HLA typing and the collected biometric information can be archived ina database, network or other pertinent resource.

As used herein, the term “kit” refers to any delivery system fordelivering materials. In the context of reaction assays, such deliverysystems include systems that allow for the storage, transport, ordelivery of reaction reagents (e.g., oligonucleotides, enzymes, primerset(s), etc. in the appropriate containers) and/or supporting materials(e.g., buffers, written instructions for performing the assay etc.) fromone location to another. For example, kits can include one or moreenclosures (e.g., boxes) containing the relevant reaction reagentsand/or supporting materials. As used herein, the term “fragmented kit”refers to a delivery system comprising two or more separate containersthat each contains a subportion of the total kit components. Thecontainers may be delivered to the intended recipient together orseparately. For example, a first container may contain an enzyme for usein an assay, while a second container contains oligonucleotides. Indeed,any delivery system comprising two or more separate containers that eachcontains a subportion of the total kit components are included in theterm “fragmented kit.” In contrast, a “combined kit” refers to adelivery system containing all of the components of a reaction assay ina single container (e.g., in a single box housing each of the desiredcomponents). The term “kit” includes both fragmented and combined kits.

Reference will now be made to various embodiments, examples of which areillustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In accordance with the embodiments, there is disclosed a biometric datacollection system having a first component adapted to obtain arepresentation of an appendage of an individual, and at least a secondcomponent comprising a substrate adapted to receive a biological samplefrom the individual, wherein either the substrate or a biological samplecollection device comprising the substrate is labeled with therepresentation. The first component has a surface adapted to obtain animpression of the appendage and an imaging system is operatively coupledto the surface, wherein the imaging system is configured to collect anelectronic image resulting from the impression. The imaging system canbe either an optical imaging system or a capacitive scanning/imagingsystem. The collection system can also have a processor configured toconvert the electronic image from the impression into the representationof the appendage. Additionally, the processor can provide for and tiethe system in with an outside connections module to networks, softwaresources, databases of such entities as the FBI, Homeland Security,investigative agencies, intelligence agencies, watch lists, cablesystems, the web, optical fiber systems, wireless communications such assatellites, cell phone systems (e.g., GSM), and other pertinentresources. Additionally, the processor can have a database connect tothe processor and a connection module connected to the processor. Therepresentation can be configured for uploading into a network ordatabase and other pertinent archiving and information retrieval andcomparison resources. The system can also have a component adapted tolabel the substrate or the biological sample collection device with therepresentation to enable matching the biometric characteristic to thebiological sample. The representation can be graphical, digital,photographic, analog, alphanumeric, hexadecimal or binary, including abarcode. The impression obtained by the system can be converted into anelectronic image and the appendage can be a finger, thumb, hand, toe orfoot placed upon a surface such as a platen that is transparent. Theresulting impression can be a fingerprint, thumbprint, handprint, toeprint or footprint.

In accordance with the embodiments, there is also disclosed a method formatching collected biometric information comprising: providing a surfacefor obtaining a representation of an appendage of an individual, whereinan impression of a fingerprint of a finger of the individual is obtainedwhen the individual touches the surface; converting the fingerprintimpression to an electronically readable representation; labeling abiological sample collection device with the electronically readablerepresentation; collecting a biological sample from the individual withthe labeled biological sample collection device; wherein theelectronically readable representation from the fingerprint is matchedto the labeled biological sample collection device following collectionof the biological sample. The digit can be a finger, thumb, hand, toe orfoot placed upon a surface such as a platen that is transparent. Theresulting impression can be a fingerprint, thumbprint, handprint, toeprint or footprint. The biological sample can be analyzed by genotypingor HLA typing and the collected biometric information can be archived ina database, network or other pertinent resource.

In accordance with the embodiments, there is also disclosed a method formatching collected biometric information comprising: providing a surfacefor obtaining a representation of an appendage of an individual, whereinan impression of the appendage of the individual is obtained when theindividual touches the surface, wherein the appendage is a digit;converting the impression to an electronically readable representation;labeling a substrate with the electronically readable representation;transferring a biological sample from the individual to the substrate;and matching the electronically readable representation from theimpression to the labeled substrate following collection of thebiological sample. The digit can be a finger, thumb, hand, toe or footplaced upon a surface such as a platen that is transparent. Theresulting impression can be a fingerprint, thumbprint, handprint, toeprint or footprint. The biological sample can be analyzed by genotypingor HLA typing and the collected biometric information can be archived ina database, network or other pertinent resource.

Those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that manymodifications, alternatives, and equivalents are possible. All suchmodifications, alternatives, and equivalents are intended to beencompassed herein.

Example 1

The following procedures are representative of procedures that can beemployed for the surface modification of silicon wafers/membrane.

Experiment: Genotyping of a biological sample using the AmpFISTR®Identifiler Direct PCR Amplification Kit (Applied Biosystems, FosterCity, Calif.). A buccal sample was collected by swabbing the inside ofan individual's cheek with a Copan® “DNA flocked swab”. A 3 cm squareFTA® paper (Whatman) was cut out and place on 5 cm square piece ofaluminum foil. The swab was placed in the center of the paper and coverwith second piece of 5 cm square aluminum foil. Pressure was applied tothe swab for 3 seconds to transfer liquid obtained in from the cheekswabbing to the paper. The aluminum foil on top of the swab was removedand discarded. The lower piece of aluminum foil plus damp paper wasplaced on a heat block at 100C and dried for 2 minutes. The FTA paperwas removed from the heat and was not sealed for archiving. Instead 1.2mm circles were punched from the paper at the site of the transfer ofthe liquid and placed into wells containing Identifiler DirectMasterMix, 12.5 uL/well. Add 12.5 uL Identifiler Direct Primer Set.Amplify 26-28 cycles on ABI 9700. The number of cycles is determined invalidation experiments for the Identifiler Direct PCR Amplification Kitaccording to the manufacture's directions. Transfer 1 uL+9 uLformamide/GS500 LIZ® size standard to 3130x/ for analysis. Analyzeresults using GeneMapper ID-X v.1.2 software.

The resulting capillary electrophoresis resulted in a full STR profilewith good color balance and interlocus balance.

While the foregoing specification teaches the principles of the presentinvention, with examples provided for the purpose of illustration, itwill be appreciated by one skilled in the art from reading thisdisclosure that various changes in form and detail can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A biometric data collection system comprising: a first componentadapted to obtain a representation of an appendage of an individual, andat least a second component comprising a substrate adapted to receive abiological sample from the individual, wherein either the substrate or abiological sample collection device comprising the substrate is labeledwith the representation.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstcomponent comprises a surface adapted to obtain an impression of theappendage.
 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising an imagingsystem operatively coupled to the surface, wherein the imaging system isconfigured to collect an electronic image resulting from the impression.4. The system of claim 3, wherein the imaging system is an opticalimaging system or a capacitive scanning/imaging system.
 5. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a processor.
 6. The system of claim 5,wherein the processor is configured to convert the electronic image fromthe impression of claim 3 into the representation of the appendage. 7.The system of claim 1, wherein the representation is configured for databasing.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a component adaptedto label the substrate or the biological sample collection device withthe representation.
 9. The system of claim 6, further comprising: (i) adatabase connected to the processor; and (ii) a connections moduleconnected to the processor.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein therepresentation is a graphical, digital, photographic, analog,alphanumeric, hexadecimal or binary representation.
 11. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the impression is an electronic image.
 12. The systemof claim 1, wherein the impression of an appendage is a fingerprint. 13.The system of claim 2 wherein the surface for obtaining therepresentation comprises a platen.
 14. The system of claim 9, whereinthe connections module provides the system access to networks, softwaresources, databases of such entities as investigative and intelligenceagencies, watch lists, cable systems, the web, optical fiber systems,wireless communications, and/or other pertinent resources.
 15. A methodfor matching collected biometric information comprising: providing asurface for obtaining a representation of an appendage of an individual,wherein an impression of a fingerprint of a finger of the individual isobtained when the individual touches the surface; converting thefingerprint impression to an electronically readable representation;labeling a biological sample collection device with the electronicallyreadable representation; collecting a biological sample from theindividual with the labeled biological sample collection device; whereinthe electronically readable representation from the fingerprint ismatched to the labeled biological sample collection device followingcollection of the biological sample.
 16. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising genotyping the biological sample.
 17. The method of claim 15,further comprising archiving the collected biometric information.
 18. Amethod for matching collected biometric information comprising:providing a surface for obtaining a representation of an appendage of anindividual, wherein an impression of the appendage of the individual isobtained when the individual touches the surface, wherein the appendageis a digit; converting the impression to an electronically readablerepresentation; labeling a substrate with the electronically readablerepresentation; transferring a biological sample from the individual tothe substrate; and matching the electronically readable representationfrom the impression to the labeled substrate following collection of thebiological sample.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprisinggenotyping the biological sample.
 20. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising archiving the collected biometric information.
 21. A methodfor matching collected biometric information comprising: providing asurface for obtaining a representation of an appendage of an individual,wherein an impression of the appendage of the individual is obtainedwhen the individual touches the surface, wherein the appendage is adigit; converting the impression to an electronically readablerepresentation; entering a first instance of the electronically readablerepresentation and identifying information in a database; labeling asubstrate with a second instance of the electronically readablerepresentation; transferring a biological sample from the individual tothe substrate; transporting the labeled substrate containing thebiological sample to another location; matching the second instance ofthe electronically readable representation on the labeled substrate tothe first instance of the electronically readable representation in thedatabase.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising genotyping thebiological sample.
 23. The method of claim 21, further comprisingarchiving the collected biometric information.